Enchanting Wilder (37 page)

No.
I force myself to shake my head.
No. It can’t be true.

There it is again. That little tug. The one that says, “Hey, I know you don’t like me, you probably hate me, but I’m familiar. If you allow yourself to open up, I can help you do amazing things.”

God, stop it. Please.

I claw at the ground, my head resting on the cold, stone floor.

When I finally allow myself to open my eyes, Declan, his expression so troubled, yet so loving, is the first thing I see. He reaches for me, caressing my forehead, moving his hand down my face, then mimicking his actions with the other side.

I push into his hands. He’s my safe place. He’s the scissors to to the string attached to Maker.

Declan looks hard, his eyes inspecting my every feature.

Holding back tears, I place my hands on his arms, allowing him to hold some of my weight, and I stand. Attempting to convey my bravery—or lack thereof—I’m not sure of which because I’m feeling a bit of both, I turn for Maker.

Stepping next to Kai, I take a deep breath. “Where are my parents?”
My real parents.
Not the nauseating one sitting in front of me.

“I’m right here, darling,” Maker coos. “I’ve missed you so much. I haven’t seen you in…what…twenty-six years? My darling girl, you look wonderful.”

My stomach churns and yet her endearment wills me to listen.

I shake my head, fighting the sensations crashing over me like angry waves during a thunderstorm. “No. I want to know where they are.”

Maker rolls her eyes and points to the door at her left. “Guards, bring them out.”

Air catches in my throat as the seconds pass by. Candy moves to me in a flash, grabbing my hand, linking us together with her emotions. I soak up her courageousness, thankful for her.

Grunts and hushed warnings echo throughout the big room, the space filling with anticipation. Wood and Declan move beside us, their postures strong and ready.

Chained by their hands and feet, mom and dad hobble out of the room. Their clothes tattered and skin dirty. They’re rough, but for the most part okay. Surviving. I’m so thankful for that.

I take a quick look at Candy and our Sephra Link takes hold. We both bolt toward them, but my feet don’t move fast enough. By the time I’ve taken three measly little steps, two black blurs rush to us, pulling us back with force. I struggle against the demon holding me.

Declan rushes to me and Wood does the same to Candy. Their eyes wild.

“Hands off them, now,” Declan warns as he bares his teeth, his hand on one of the demon’s arms.

The demon’s forehead creases but Maker gives one nod. He shoves me away and I fall into Declan’s arms, my breaths coming out in sharp gasps.

Bored with the entire thing, Maker sighs. “Happy now? Family reunion, blah, blah, blah.” She waves my parents off as they fall to a tired heap on the ground next to her. “Now we can talk, yes?” Her eyebrows quirk and I fight the urge to try to get to my parents, again.

But if we have any chance of surviving this, I need to do as she says.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Good. First thing’s first. Come give mummy a hug.” She opens her arms wide.

I cross my arms and stay firmly planted.
If she thinks she’s getting a hug, she’s out of her damn mind.

Her bottom lip pouts and she lowers her arms, pushing her hair away from her face.

I look so much like her…

“Fine,” she says. “On to your story, then? I’m sure you’re confused.”

I nod, my eyes skirting to mom and dad. Mom looks up from her spot on the ground, tears welling in her eyes. Dad looks from my eyes back down to the floor, shame written all over his face.

“Well, my dear, you were taken by these heathens.” She points to mom and dad. “Stolen. Kidnapped.” She looks to one of the guards. “These two and the entire angelic community set out to take you from me. I was ambushed. They seized you and spelled you to be a baby and grow up as a Strix.” She looks down at her lap, her mouth trembling—and I almost want to believe her.

I shake my head. “Why would they want to take me? I’m a demon.”

Maker snickers, patting under her eyes. “Sweet girl, because you’re also half angel.”

Like a swift kick in the stomach, I bend over, the air rushing out of my lungs. Candy holds onto me steadily. “An…an angel? How?”

Maker laces her hands together in front of her, setting them on her lap. “Well, see when two people love each other very much, they turn their love into a baby.”

“Ugh. I don’t mean how like that. I mean as in who is my dad?”

“Why does it matter? Heaven found out about you, McKenna, and they decided to save you from me.” She rolls her eyes. “As if I’d hurt my own daughter. They thought you’d been evil for far too long, and needed to see if they could make the light from deep within you shine.” She appeases me, thoroughly disgusted. “Seems it worked.”

“And mom and dad?” I ask. “They’re…angels?”

I turn to them, their poses slumped on the ground, beaten down.

“No,” Maker says flatly. “Just lowly Strix the angels found to take care of you.”

My eyes water. “Is that true? Mom? Dad?”

Mom’s the first to raise her head. “It’s true. We were going to tell you…”

I breathe in deep, pinching my nose. “So, this was all a rouse to get me back here? Why? So you could show me the error of my ways? Bring me to the dark side?”

Maker’s mouth turns down and she shrugs. “Yes. I wanted to reunite our family.”

“Our family?”

Smiling, Maker slides her eyes to Kai. “Yes, you and your brother.”

Kai steps back, grabbing at his stomach. He hadn’t said a word the entire time we were here. I’d wondered if he was okay.
Turns out the answer is probably no.

Candy and I exchange looks, and I can see she’s just as concerned for him as I am. I squeeze her hand one time and she nods, letting me know it’s okay to go to him. I let go of Candy’s hand and rush to Kai.

Oh my God, he’s my brother.

He angrily pulls at his hair. “No. NO!” he shouts. “You sent me to Limbo for years. Centuries. You sent us together. Why? Why did you do that?”

Maker picks at her nails. “When you become defiant, you get punished.”

Kai points indigently at her. “That’s your excuse? We began to defy you so you sent our souls to suffer? You’re sick.”

Putting her hands up in a so-sue-me manner, Maker states unapologetically, “I am all, so you do as I say.”

“Is Kai an angel?” I probe. If I am, maybe he is, too.

Maker giggles, making her seem far less terrifying as before. “Not that it’s the point, but you and Kai have different fathers. So no.”

Kai scoffs. “So we’re just supposed to listen to you because you’re mommy dearest? You allowed me to think you were this big scary monster to fear. For so long, I had no idea who you were.”

“You should!” Maker booms. “Fear me, for I am the real evil.”

“You’re not Lucifer,” Wood spits for the first time since we arrived.

Maker looks to him as if he’s a moldy old piece of gum on the bottom of her expensive shoes. “I am not. That is true. But, you may know me by another name…” She looks right at Declan, sneering. “Ava.”

Declan rushes up to Maker. “Oh mother f…”

“You can’t be serious,” Wood says, unable to comprehend.

“She died,” Declan says, scornful. “You can’t be Noah and Sarah’s daughter.”

“Oh?” Maker asks innocently. “When Lucifer decides to love you, there’s certain extras that come along with it.”

“So, what?” Wood heckles. “You and Lucifer had something going on and he decided to make you the leader of all demons? That sounds like a bunch of made-up bullshit if you ask me.”

“I’m most certainly not asking you,” she scolds, giving him a look of utter displeasure. “As I was saying, while he moved on rather quickly, I was able to get everything out of him I wanted.”

“You’re the master manipulator. A she-devil in the flesh,” I spit. “You had the audacity to bring evil into this world, and then lavish in it. God.” I shake my head. “Murderers, rapists, thieves, lies, gluttony…all of it. You brought this upon us and you have no remorse?”

“None,” she states simply. “Evil is subjective.”

“What in the hell?” Declan says, rubbing his finger up and down the skin between his eyes. “How is evil subjective? Please, for the love of God, enlighten us.”

Maker laughs. “For the love of God? Oh honey, for the love of Me. He can’t help you here.”

Declan stays silent, his forehead scrunched in annoyance.

“Would you call a police officer killing in the name of self-defense, murder?”

None of us say a word.

“I didn’t bring evil, I brought justice.”

“That’s not justice. There wouldn’t be self-defense if you didn’t breed evil!” I shout. “You did all of this and now you’re somehow going to rationalize it? You’re more messed up than I ever imagined.”

Maker shrugs, clearly unaffected by my unwillingness to agree.

“Wait,” Wood joins in. “If you’re Noah’s daughter, and Kai and McKenna are your children, that means you’re all related. Does that mean we’re related? Are you my…my sister?” he says it like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. “Does Noah not know who you are?”

Maker tilts her head from side to side, studying Wood. “He doesn’t, brother,” she sneers, happy with herself.

Wood turns an odd shade of green.
Am I technically related to Wood, too?

“My head hurts,” Kai says, rubbing his forehead with his hand.

“This is one fucked up family tree,” Declan says, disgusted with everything we’ve learned.

Maker continues, “Wood is my brother. Obviously born years apart as mom and dad’s kids are supposed to die in normal mortal time.”

“Dodged that bullet,” Wood mutters, crossing his arms.

“Mmm,” she says. “And McKenna and Kai are my children, so that would make you their uncle?” Maker looks up to the ceiling as if contemplating some confusing mathematical equation. “I don’t know.” Maker stops to look at me, sneering. “It’s a good thing Declan is an angel and not really Noah’s true son. That would be awfully weird considering you’re together.” The disdain on her face is clear she doesn’t approve of me. Not that it matters. I’ll slice her face off the second I get the chance.

My blood boils, but she’s right.

Candy sighs. “What was the point of all of this? Why bring us here? You just want McKenna and Kai?”

“I wanted them to know the truth. Kai was such a good little soldier, always listened to mummy’s word. He fell away, too,” she tisks. “If I want my family to be whole, I have to help them see who they can truly be. Powerful. Dangerous. Commanding. They can’t do that following a little angel around.” She gives daggers to Declan.

“I won’t stay with you,” I promise, holding onto Kai’s arm.

“I won’t, either,” Kai agrees. “Not only did you make up some ridiculous story about how I was made when you decided to pull me out of Limbo, but you’re also my mother.” He shakes his head, hurt. “Being wicked is a choice. It’s a premeditated action. It’s not who we are.”

“You’re demons!” Maker shouts, standing up hastily form her throne. “I’m the ruler of all evil. You can’t expect me to coddle you like some,” the corners of her mouth turn down, “mortal.”

I sniff, my nose twitching a bit. “We may be demons, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get to choose for ourselves. You can’t control us when our hearts aren’t yours,” I say. “Either let us leave with my parents or kill us. Either way, you lose.”

Maker weighs her options. She sits back down, forlorn and melancholy. “You may leave, and you may take your parents. But,” she warns, “I caution you. The cat is out of the bag. The moment the angels find out you know the real story—your story—all hell will break loose. The fate of Beneath rests in your hands.”

“My hands? Why? What does that mean?”

Maker looks down at her lap, pulling at her fingers. “When I fell in love with Lucifer, he didn’t grant me the same as God did with Noah. He turned me into a Mara.” She derides. “A demon witch. But, the longer I live, the less my powers can protect me from aging. The magic only lasts for so long.” She sighs. “I’m dying, daughter. I’m dying, and you have to take over for me. You’re the first born. Beneath will cease to exist without you.”

“No,” I say for what feels like the millionth time tonight, my stomach falling into my feet. “No. I don’t want it. I won’t do it.”

“You refuse to take my place, and everything will fall apart. Demons will roam free in the streets. You want that on your hands? Monsters will outnumber mortals. You think I’m a bad person—and maybe I am—but I keep order. You can, too.”

My nostrils flare and I swallow. Become the ruler of Beneath? This is all too much for me to take in.

“You may go. Take your family and think about what I’ve told you. You’re to return when you’ve made up your mind.”

With that, Maker stands up from her chair and walks out of the room, leaving us alone.